DR Congo rivals 'on the verge' of signing crisis deal: mediator

DR Congo’s government and the opposition are “on the verge” of concluding an accord to end a political crisis over President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to quit power, the influential Catholic Church said Friday. Kabila’s second and final five-year term ended on December 20, but he has shown no intention of leaving office soon, sparking violent protests that have left at least 40 people dead, according to the United Nations. The two sides “are on the verge of concluding an accord,” said Marcel Utembi, president of the Congo National Episcopal Conference (CENCO), who had pushed for a deal earlier.